Long-term followup after exstrophy closure: late improvement and good quality of life.

Now that we have observed the growth and development of 17 of our anatomically reconstructed exstrophy patients through 20 or more years of followup, we are convinced that reconstruction should be the preferred primary treatment. Most of these patients are healthy, attractive, well educated adults and have achieved emotional maturity and stability, despite their many problems. Anatomical reconstruction also has considerable advantages over other current treatments for exstrophy that were not apparent initially.